|
|
Proceeds of 5 CT Nonprofit Hospitals Will Benefit the Community |
|
A for-profit health care entity, Tenet Healthcare Corp. of Dallas is in the process of acquiring 5 nonprofit Connecticut hospitals, Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, Bristol Hospital, Waterbury Hospital and Eastern Connecticut Health Network, which includes Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital in Vernon, according to the Hartford Courant. Connecticut state law requires that when a nonprofit hospital is sold to a for-profit entity, the proceeds go to an independent charitable foundation to replace the lost benefits of having a nonprofit in the community. Connecticut has experienced several "conversions" in the past which have resulted in the formation of new independent foundations. The Courant article explains that each deal is subject to approval by the attorney general's office and the state Office of Health Care Access. Although each hospital has its own foundation that could receive the funds, they would need to be re-purposed from a hospital-oriented mission. Connecticut statutes govern the conversion of a nonprofit to a for-profit, and there are requirements for how the proceeds of a sale should be used. For the full article go to the Hartford Courant >> "The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (CCP) and our members are watching these conversions carefully to ensure that donor intent from original contributions to the nonprofit entities are honored. We are paying particular attention to consumer protection in these communities and trust that the Attorney General and others will work to ensure continued access to quality health care and resources," comments President Maggie Gunther Osborn. "These significant shifts in the marketplace are part of a much larger conversation about public policy and health care in Connecticut. CCP and our community foundations and health funders are willing partners in this important discourse." For more information: Maggie Gunther Osborn, Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, 860-525-5585, mosborn@CTphilanthropy.org. |
|
Aspen Institute Re-Invests in Hartford's Youth Workforce |
|
Opportunity Youth Incentive Fund (OYIF) announced its second round of grants, which provides a new $500,000 implementation grant award to Capital Workforce Partners and the Hartford Opportunity Youth Collaborative as well as 18 additional communities across the United States. The Opportunity Youth Incentive Fund is managed by the Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions and is dedicated to reconnecting “Opportunity Youth” to education and employment.
All 19 OYIF community grantees received one year planning grants last year along with 2 communities that received multi-year awards. Collectively, these 21 community grantees, which include Hartford, Connecticut, will continue to focus their efforts on the successful re-connection of Opportunity Youth through community collaborations that remove barriers, connect the various systems that touch their lives, and begin to scale effective pathways to jobs and long-term, family-sustaining success. The Aspen Forum for Community Solutions plans to provide up to $13 million in grants to the 21 OYIF sites and learning partners over the five-year course of the Fund.
Connecticut Council for Philanthropy members Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bank of America Foundation and Nellie Mae Education Foundation are among those providing support for the Aspen Forum and Opportunity Youth Incentive Fund.
For more information: Kim Oliver, Hartford Opportunity Youth Collaborative, 860-899-3474, info@youthreconnect.org. |
|
Foundation Reports Technology Paradox by Nonprofits
|
|
Nearly half of surveyed nonprofits in Fairfield County are not providing information technology training to their staff according to a new report released by Fairfield County's Community Foundation.
The Nonprofit Technology Paradox reports that too many Fairfield County organizations feel internal and external pressure to direct maximum funding to their program work rather than investing in their own information technology.
“As Fairfield County nonprofits struggle to meet increasing needs with lagging funding, applying information technology to improve efficiencies seems an obvious answer,” said Juanita James, president and CEO of the Fairfield County Community Foundation. “Yet, understandably, many nonprofits direct funding away from helping themselves in order to help others.”
The report highlights include the following Nonprofit Challenges: - 22% have no budget for information technology
- 33% spend less than $5,000 on information technology annually
- 40% regularly experience information technology issues that affect their services and administrative operations
- 47% are not providing information technology training to their staff
Fairfield County's Community Foundation supports making contributions to a nonprofit’s operating expenses, as recommended in the GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and BBB Wise Giving Alliance open letter on OverheadMyth.com.
Download the The Nonprofit Technology Paradox >>
For more information: Sallie Mitchell, Fairfield County's Community Foundation, 203-750-3206. |
|
Cigna Lends a Hand By Learning Big Health Trends
|
|
Change is coming for North End Hartford residents. According to the Hartford Courant, Community Solutions and Saint Francis, who since 2011 have been tracking emergency room visits and coordinating health care, are being joined in their efforts by the Cigna Foundation. The Foundation is planning to provide health coaching programs, data analysis, diabetes education and outreach strategies to address big health trends in the North End. Cigna is working with the state to get Medicaid claims data on the North End — without identifying individual patients — in order to learn the trends. "If an employer group came to us, if all 10,800 people in this neighborhood worked for one company, Cigna would look at this group and we would perform some type of assessment … to understand more about this population," said David Figliuzzi, executive director of the Cigna Foundation, the philanthropic organization funded by Cigna. The article goes on to describe Cigna's corporate social responsibility efforts in the North End neighborhood, including mentoring high-school students and participating in Blessings in a Backpack. |
|
Report Highlights 5 Social and Emotional Skills Lead to Academic Success
|
|
The Tauck Family Foundation and ChildTrends' newly released a white paper highlights research on the importance of five skills that lead to academic success. The report, Measuring Elementary School Students’ Social and Emotional Skills, suggests two options for teachers to use the tool in gauging and improving student social and emotional competencies in areas that matter for success in school and beyond. The report also summarizes the process used to develop a measurement tool to assess these skills. The tool was designed specifically for the Foundation’s investee organizations working with Bridgeport students, but educators across the country may find it effective as part of their strategy for supporting student educational success. For more information: Eden Warring, Tauck Family Foundation, 203-899-6742, eden@tauckfoundation.org; Mirellise Vazquez, Tauck Family Foundation, 203-899-6824, mirellise@tauckfoundation.org. |
|
$2.5M Goes to Statewide Basic Needs Nonprofits
|
|
The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) awarded 56 nonprofit providers $2.5 million in funding to address the needs of Connecticut citizens in the areas of food, housing and medical care. CHEFA’s Nonprofit Grant Program awards range $5,000 to $75,000.
“The need is great as evidenced by the 123 non-profits that submitted letters of interest for the grant program. Since 2003, CHEFA has provided more than $26 million in grant funding and targeted investments to Connecticut nonprofits, more than $10 million of which has been awarded through this program alone,” said Jeffrey A. Asher, CHEFA’s executive director.
CHEFA is a quasi-public agency created by the State Legislature to help Connecticut healthcare and educational institutions, and other not-for-profit entities obtain tax exempt financing. CHEFA is self-sustaining and receives no taxpayer funds.
For more information: Jeff Asher, Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, 860-520-4700, jasher@chefa.com. |
|
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NEWS |
|
|
$200K Grant Aids Families In Crisis
|
|
A grant of $206,243 to provide assistance to families whose lives have been affected by having a loved one in prison has been awarded to Families in Crisis by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
The grant will allow the agency to launch two new programs, video visitations and kincare parenting, developed by Families in Crisis in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Correction and the Department of Children and Families (DCF), respectively. These will support the well-being of children and families in Hartford, where it is estimated as many as 6,000 children have at least one parent in prison.
“Our programs, which are based on documented best practices in the field, help offenders and their loved ones preserve and strengthen family ties and confront and overcome challenges to rebuilding their lives. Without interventions, incarceration becomes a cycle that often repeats itself,” said Susan Quinlan, executive director of Families in Crisis.
A report of the Recidivism Reduction Committee of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission documents that strengthened family ties reduces prison violence and decreases recidivism.
For more information: Chris Senecal, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 860-548-1888, csenecal@hfpg.org. |
|
Links to More Community Foundation News
|
|
LINKS TO MORE FOUNDATION NEWS |
|
|
Member News |
|
Grant Cycles and Scholarship Opportunities |
|
Liberty Bank Seeks Nominations for Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Awards |
|
Liberty Bank is seeking nominations for the 2014 Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award. Created by the bank in 2001, the award honors an individual who has made an outstanding and ongoing contribution to the cause of promoting and celebrating diversity in the communities served by the bank. It is named in honor of Willard McRae, past chairman of the Liberty Bank Board of Directors and a founding member of the Liberty Bank Foundation Board of Directors. The award recipient will receive the opportunity to direct a $5,000 donation from the Liberty Bank Foundation to the nonprofit organization of his/her choice. The deadline to submit a nomination is September 12. For award details and nomination forms >> |
|
Communities May Apply for the RWJF 2015 Culture of Health Prize |
|
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) 2015 Culture of Health Prize is awarded annually to honor outstanding community efforts and partnerships that are helping people live healthier lives. Winning communities will each receive a $25,000 cash prize and have their accomplishments celebrated and shared broadly with the goal of raising awareness and inspiring locally-driven change across the country. The deadline to submit applications is September 17. For key information and applications forms >> |
|
COMCAST Kicks Off Back to School Season with 6 Months Free Internet |
|
Internet Essentials from Comcast is a comprehensive broadband adoption program. It provides low-cost broadband service; the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for under $150; and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online and in-person. Comcast will include up to six months of complimentary service for any new family that has not yet applied for Internet Essentials. To receive the free service, Connecticut families must have at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program, including public, parochial, private and homeschooled students. “Internet Essentials is about transforming lives and inspiring a new generation of leaders to be digitally ready to access the information and tools all students need to succeed in the 21st century,” said Comcast Executive Vice President David L. Cohen. “By offering six months free Internet Essentials service we hope to convince even more families that there is no better school supply than having broadband Internet at home. With it, kids can do their homework and parents can be more connected to their children’s teachers and schools.” |
|
Funders Offer Nonprofit Trainings |
|
LIABILITY OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Tuesday, September 9, 9:00 - 10:30 am, Tunxis Community College, Bristol. Main Street Community Foundation Nonprofit Education Series kicks off with Liability of Officers and Directors. Nonprofit professionals, board members and volunteers serving Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott who want to gain essential skills on this topic are invited to attend. For the full series offerings and to register >> |
|
LEGAL SEMINAR
Thursday, September 11, Crown Plaza Hotel, Danbury. Boehringer-Ingelheim, in conjunction with United Way of Western Connecticut, will offer a a free legal seminar for nonprofits. Based on the positive feedback received from past seminars, attendees will be offered new and enhanced content. Nonprofits may send more than one participant. To register, contact Mary Jean Knudsem, mary_jean.knudsen@boehringer-ingelheim.com. |
|
DEVELOPING POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS
Thursday, September 18, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, University of Bridgeport, Waterbury Campus. The Nonprofit Assistance Initiative (NAI), a joint program of the Connecticut Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Waterbury, has teamed up with the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits to offer a half-day workshop. This workshop will give participants tools and processes to develop strong, lasting partnerships that benefit all parties. Register >> |
|
PROFITABLE DONOR COMMUNICATIONS
Wednesday, September 17, 9 am - 12 pm, The Red Lion Inn, Stock Bridge, MA.
Wednesday, September 17, 2 - 5 pm, Scoville Library, Salisbury, CT. Nonprofit executives and board leaders throughout the region are encouraged to participate in Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s annual “Seminars in Nonprofit Excellence” series, which provides training and professional development to leaders from nonprofits in Berkshire County, MA; Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY; and northwest Litchfield County, CT. For the full series listing and to register >> |
|
GIRLS SYMPOSIUM
Friday, October 17, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, Marriott Merritt Parkway, Trumbull. The Fund for Women and Girls' of Fairfield County's Community Foundation, is offering their 3rd Annual Girls Symposium. Expert-led presentations and interactive workshops, will include youth voice, specially designed to help today's girls and young women. The symposium is ideal for educators, social service professionals, healthcare practitioners, therapists, school resource officers, parents and guardians or anyone who works with girls. For more information and to register >> |
|
DAVID DARST and ALEXANDRA LANDES have joined the board of Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, Inc. (ACGT). Darst, a 32-year-old New York City resident, is CEO of Rgenix, Inc, a preclinical stage pharmaceutical company developing cancer therapies that target cancer metastasis. Landes, a 28-year-old Pacific Palisades, CA resident, is Executive Director of Wendy Walk, a national nonprofit named for her late mother that supports Liposarcoma research.
“Together, David and Alexandra will help to further introduce ACGT’s mission to younger supporters and advocates,” said Barbara Netter, Co-Founder and President of ACGT.
Read more >> |
|
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven has appointed CHRISTINA M. CIOCIOLA, of Killingworth, as the Senior Vice President for Grantmaking & Strategy.
Ciociola has been at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven since 2002. As Director of Knowledge and Evaluation at The Community Foundation since 2008, she has played a central role in The Foundation’s community knowledge work and led its efforts to promote local philanthropy through giveGreater.org® and the The Great Give®.
“Christina has long been an outstanding member of the Community Foundation staff and has risen steadily through the organization over many years,” said William W. Ginsberg, president & CEO of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. "She has a deep understanding of our community and its opportunities and challenges, and knows our local nonprofit sector intimately.”
Ms. Ciociola’s appointment is the culmination of a national search; The position has been vacant since the retirement of DR. PRISCILLA CANNY in December 2013.
Read more >> |
|
 Connecticut Humanities (CTH) has named SALLY WHIPPLE, a veteran history museum director, to chair its board of directors.
Whipple, executive director of Connecticut’s Old State House, brings broad experience with Connecticut’s history community, having worked at the Mark Twain House, the Noah Webster House and the Lebanon Historical Society Museum. Her extensive volunteer experience includes working with the Connecticut League of History Organizations, the Hartford Public Library’s Hartford History Center Advisory Group, the Secretary of the State’s Connecticut Civic Health Index Advisory Board, the Connecticut Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission and the Colchester Historical Society.
Joining Whipple in executive leadership positions are LEAH HARTMAN as vice chair; JEFFREY ANDERSEN as secretary; and JAMES "RUSTY" TILNEY as treasurer. Hartman, of Norwalk, is head of research for The Delaware Bay Management Company, LLC. Andersen, of Waterford, is director of the Florence Griswold Museum in Lyme. Tilney, of Avon, is managing partner of @Collinsville LLC.
Connecticut Humanities also elected three new board members: ÁNGEL FERNÁNDEZ-CHAVERO,of New Haven, is managing director and founder of Aspire Praxis, LLC; West Hartford resident BERNARD L. KAVALER, managing principal of Express Strategies; and AIMEE MONROY SMITH, of Westport, manager of legal and government projects at Pitney Bowes, Inc., Stamford.
In addition, two new board members were appointed by Governor Dannel Malloy. They are Middletown Mayor DANIEL T. DREW and State Representative WILLIAM TONG, D-147, of Stamford. |
|
MARY MCLAUGHLIN, regional senior vice president of Comcast’s Berlin-headquartered Western New England Region, is United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut's (UWCNCT) 91st Campaign Chair, leading the community’s effort to improve lives for everyone in the 40-town region.
An attorney and 20-year veteran of the communications industry, McLaughlin is the senior executive responsible for the operations, financial performance and customer service for Comcast’s customers in more than 300 communities across five New England states. She is also accountable for oversight of the company’s more than 1,700 employees throughout the Western New England region. |
|
Salisbury resident and investment adviser, TOM QUINN, has recently joined The Foundation for Community Health board of directors.
Quinn founded and managed TS Quinn Associates, LLC, a real estate investment management firm, and has held positions with UBS Wealth Management and Business Banking and JP Morgan.
Quinn serves on the boards of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Salisbury Association and is a member of the Salisbury Land Trust and the Conservation Commission. He is an alumnus and trustee of The Hotchkiss School and a former member of the National Real Estate Advisory Board of the Nature Conservancy. |
|
YVETTE BELLO of Glastonbury has joined the staff of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving as program officer.
Bello joins the Foundation after serving as the executive director of Latino Community Services in Hartford for seven years. Her prior experience includes various positions with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Connecticut Army National Guard. Bello holds master’s degrees in business administration and management and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Albertus Magnus College. |
|
Well known for its charitable history, the W.E. Bassett Company and the Bassett family have supported Valley nonprofits for nearly 70 years. As a result, WILLIAM C. BASSETT was honored with the first Joseph A. Pagliaro, Sr. Philanthropic Award by the Valley Community Foundation (VCF). The Award was established in 2014 and first presented at the Valley Community Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Celebration. The award is given out at the discretion of the VCF Board and based on an individual/group whose qualities of leadership and philanthropy have had a permanent and everlasting contribution to the Valley Community Foundation.
Read more >> |
|
 The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy is an association of grantmakers committed to promoting and supporting effective philanthropy for the public good. With members representing 112 independent, family and community foundations, federated funds, and corporate foundations and giving programs, the Council is Connecticut’s foremost resource on philanthropy. The organization benefits the larger grantmaking community, the nonprofit sector and the public in Connecticut.
For more news about philanthropy in Connecticut, go to the Council's news room, Connecticut Philanthropy Digest archives and our blog, CTPhilanthropyNotes.org.
News about Connecticut funders may be submitted to the Council for consideration. The Connecticut Philanthropy Digest is brought to you by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. Edited by Laurie Allen. |
|
|
| |
|
|
